Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Alma 51

Amongst any democracy, there will always be -

"...those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 51:8)

Keep that in mind as we consider candidates for election. 

Friday, May 27, 2016

Alma 50

With Amalickiah, much like Satan, seeking to bring all the Nephites into bondage and have power over them, Captain Moroni prepared the Nephites to defend themselves, their families, and their religion, wherefore -

"...Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges, that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.
2 And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man, round about the cities.
3 And he caused that upon those works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high.
4 And he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets, and he caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them.
5 And they were prepared that they could cast stones from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 50:1 - 5)

Mormon then comments -

"Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 50:6)

There is much wise counsel contained herein, both temporal and spiritual.  First there is great wisdom in being prepared to defend ones freedom, family, liberty, and religion.  But there is also great spiritual counsel to do those things that would prepare oneself so as not to fall to the snares of Satan.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Alma 48

As war seemed to be eminent between the Nephites and Lamanites, Mormon comments that -

"...the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.
15 And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger..."   (Book of Mormon | Alma 48:14 - 15)

These last words would suggest the need to follow the prophet.  And Mormon then added -

"And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 48:16)

Again, the need for a prophet to make known where to defend themselves.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Alma 46

As we liken the scriptures to our day, we read -

"...it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against their brethren.
2 And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that they were determined to slay them."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 46:1 - 2)

"And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power.
5 And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickiah, that if they would support him and establish him to be their king that he would make them rulers over the people."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 46:4 - 5)

Even -

"...there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church..."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 46:7)

For -

"...he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 46:10)

do we not see much of this today in politics and governmental decrees?

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Alma 45

I wonder of Mormon's thoughts and reactions as he read the writing of Helaman of the words of his father -

"...I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.
10 And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief.
11 Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct—
12 Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come.
13 And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephi.
14 But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue even until they shall become extinct.  And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 45:9 - 14)

Obviously, Moroni lived to see the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Alma 43

As the Lamanites departed out of the land of Antionum into the wilderness with a secret plan to attach the land of Manti -

"...Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
24 And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people.  And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni.
25 Now Moroni, leaving a part of his army in the land of Jershon, lest by any means a part of the Lamanites should come into that land and take possession of the city, took the remaining part of his army and marched over into the land of Manti."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 43:23 - 25)

In my mind, this demonstrates the great faith and obedience that Moroni possessed in God, revelation, and his priesthood leaders.  Any error could be devastating.  Can you imagine this happening today.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Alma 42

The eternal nature and law of justice cannot be emphasized more as Alma testifies three times -

"Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice.  Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:13)

"...if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:21 - 22)

"For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice?  I say unto you, Nay; not one whit.  If so, God would cease to be God."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:24 - 25)

It is apparent then that a attribute of godliness is the law of justice.  God then cannot override His own laws because of love and kindness.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Alma 41

Alma teaches a doctrine to Corianton that I think is unique in scripture or presented somewhat in a different man saying -

"...the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:2)

What is this "proper order"? 

"...all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other—
5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.
6 And so it is on the other hand.  If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:4 - 6)

For -

"...is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?"  (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:12)

Therefore -

"...see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again."
(Book of Mormon | Alma 41:14)

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Alma 40

A few days ago, I mentioned that I believe heaven and hell as mentioned in the scriptures would also be synonymous as  paradise and prison (with outer darkness) as Alma teaches Corianton -

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 40:11 - 13)

Of such, Joseph Fielding Smith explained -

“These words of Alma as I understand them, do not intend to convey the thought that all spirits go back into the presence of God for an assignment to a place of peace or a place of punishment and before him receive their individual sentence. ‘Taken home to God,’ (Compare Ecclesiastes 12:7) simply means that their mortal existence has come to an end, and they have returned to the world of spirits, where they are assigned to a place according to their works with the just or with the unjust, there to await the resurrection.

‘Back to God’ is a phrase which finds an equivalent in many other well known conditions. For instance: a man spends a stated time in some foreign mission field. When he is released and returns to the United States, he may say, ‘It is that phrase in a qualified sense …. Solomon makes a similar statement: ‘Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.’ The same idea is frequently expressed by the Latter-day Saints” (Gospel Truths, p. 73.) (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1957–66], 2: 85

Alma also explains what many Christians consider to be the resurrection -

"...there are some that have understood that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection.  Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 40:15)

But that is truly not the case for -

"...it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body..."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 40:18)

Thus what many consider heaven and hell is a period before the resurrections and final judgement.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Alma 39

Alma strongly counsels his son, Corianton -

"...I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.  Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 39:9)

In my mind, "cross" yourself suggests to check yourself, avoid, and self-control. 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Alma 38

In follow up to a few blogs in the last few days, after Alma again restates -

"...inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 38:1)

...to Shiblon, he testifies -

"...I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 38:5)

Where it was stated previously that the Lord would support one in trials, troubles and afflictions, he now states that He will deliver them.  But you can tell the Lord's perspective of when with "ye shall be lifted up at the last day" which suggest to me the Lord's timing and perspective is different from our own.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Alma 37

In a follow up to yesterdays blog on what it means to prosper in the land, after Alma spoke of the Liahona and how it works, he said -

"...I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 37:43 - 44)

He then asked -

"...is there not a type in this thing?  For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 37:45)

Thus in my mind, the Lord is suggesting that to prosper is a spiritual thing as one follows the course to eternal life.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Alma 36

As Alma spoke to his son, Helaman, he began -

"...I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 36:1)

"...behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 36:3)

These two versus almost sounds like they contradict.  One might think, how do you prosper and yet have trials and afflictions.  My thoughts this morning is that "prosper" from the Lord's eternal perspective would suggest growth in a godly way.  Trials, troubles and afflictions are part of that.  In other words, trials, troubles and afflictions will come because things happen.

But the greater promise is that He will support you in those trials, troubles and afflictions.



Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Alma 35

I believe that much of ancient scripture was written as a result of the peoples desire to know concerning the existence of life immediately after death.  Thus much is written concerning "heaven" and "hell".  With the restoration of the gospel, thoughts have turned to a more eternal perspective, thus we now call the state of the individual after death, in lieu of heaven and hell, the terms, paradise and spirit prison.  This seems evident as Amulek teaches after death -

"Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God.  Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:34 - 35)

With the restoration of the gospel, we now know this is spirit prison.

One more thought.  After preaching to the Zoramites, we read that Alma -

"...seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 35:15)

Isn't it interesting as our hearts begin to was hard, we become more easily offended considering the words of our prophets, seers and revelators to be to strict.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Alma 34

After Amulek had taught a great doctrinal speech to the Zoramites on the atonement, he says -

"...I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:31)

I find that very interesting that if we truly repent and do not harden our hearts, the promise is that the plan of redemption, or its effect, will be brought to us "immediately".  Amulek teaches that this repentance process is an ongoing process has  counsels -

"...I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:33)

Amulek specifically describes this process being "if we do not improve".  Thus, the plan of redemption is an "improving" process.

Monday, May 09, 2016

Alma 33

As the poor in spirit of the Zoramites asked Alma where they might begin in planting the seed of faith, Alma counsels -

"...Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues.  But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them."
(Book of Mormon | Alma 33:2)

Alma again asked -

"...Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old?
13 Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son.
14 Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures?  If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?"  (Book of Mormon | Alma 33:12 - 14)

It quickly becomes apparent that the scriptures contains the answers to most questions and doctrine.

Friday, May 06, 2016

Alma 32

Alma defines faith as -

"...faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 32:21)

In my mind "hope for things" suggests looking for evidence of truth.  In my mind this is more than physical evidence but personal spiritual evidence of truth.  Hope is not looking for evidence that it may be false.  Hope would also mean living in a manner that one might find evidence that it is true.

This is faith.

Thursday, May 05, 2016

Alma 31

As Alma and his brethren were about to separate and preach the gospel among the Zoramites, we read that Alma -

"...clapped his hands upon all them who were with him.  And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:36)

And we read upon receiving the Spirit -

"...they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.
38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ.  Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:37 - 38)

What a great blessing that could be granted to all in the Lord's service.

I will note that according to David J. Ridges -

"In the 1828 edition of the Noah Webster Dictionary (which reflects English usage in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith), the word “clapped” is defined as “to thrust or put on.”

Which suggests to me that Alma could have easily laid his hands upon his brethren.

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Alma 30

After Korihor had been struck dumb, he confesses -

"...the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God.  And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say.  And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true..."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 30:53)

I've thought how often many have been taught the teachings of Satan contrary to the commandments of God until they too come to believe such falsehoods are true...and then rebel against God and true doctrine.

Tuesday, May 03, 2016

Alma 30

In my mind, Korihor makes a very interesting statement saying -

"Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins.  But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 30:16)

Frenzy suggests -

"...great and often wild or uncontrolled activity" ... or

"mental or emotional agitation". (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

This may be the case amongst denominations without the Holy Ghost.  But I can testify by my own experience that remission of sins that is witnesses by the power of the Holy Ghost is not a frenzy.  It is a true and personal witness from the Spirit that cannot be denied





Monday, May 02, 2016

Alma 29

As Alma describes the wish of his heart, he testifies the truth of the matter -

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 29:9)

I know this to be true.